CORNWALL BIRD-WATCHING AND PRESERVATION SOCIETY Fiftieth Annual Report 1980 St. George Printing Works Ltd., Camborne Officers 1981-82 President: Dr. C. J. F. Coombs, Greenwith Place, Perranwell, Truro Chairman : Mrs. M. P. Visick, Trendain, Perranwell Station, Truro General Secretary: F. H. C. Kendall, 33 Victoria Road, Bude Assistant General Secretary: Mrs. D. M. Fox, The Salt Box, Point, Devoran, Truro Treasurer & Registrar: W. K. J. Gray, 12 Chynance Drive, Newquay Field Meetings : G. S. Gay, Lower Farm, Trewithian,Portscatho Conservation : G. Jackson, Treweege Barton, Stithians, Truro Assistant Conservation Officer : S. C. Hutchings, 24 Kernick Road, Penryn Editor: D. J. Barker, Calidris, Four Lanes, Redruth Assistant Editor: S. M. Christophers, 5 Newquay Road, St. Columb Major, Newquay Public Relations Officer: E. Grace, Chywarton, Trevenen Bal, Helston Secretary for the Isles of Scilly : D. B. Hunt, Pednbrose, St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly Joint Editors — Isles of Scilly Journal: D. B. Hunt, H. P. K. Robinson, Pednbrose, St. Mary's, Cam View, Newbridge, Isles of Scilly. Penzance. Officer for Youth and Education: Mrs. S. D. Johns, 25 Hillcrest Avenue, Truro Committee Members: S. J. Cole (St. Austell), F. M. Couch (Bodmin), Dr. G. W. Davis (Falmouth), Mrs. R. H. Poynton (Newquay), B. Wilson (Lanreath), retire 1982 ; A. C. Hosking (Penzance), R. Smaldon (Plymouth), retire 1983 ; J. B. Bottomley (St. Ives), Mrs. P. Davies (Padstow), G. Jackson (Portscatho), J. Smith (Redruth), G. P. Sutton (Bude), M. W. Tyler (Camelford), retire 1984 ; and the officers ex-officio. Secretary's Report 1980 Our membership remained fairly stable during 1980 with about 760 adult members and 45 Junior Members, giving a total, inclusive of Honorary Members, of just over 800. The customary number of four Executive Committee meetings were held, and two General Meetings, one in Spring and one in Autumn. At the Spring Meeting held on April 26th at the County Museum, Truro, the Chairman, Mrs. P. Visick announced with deep regret the death of Dr. R. H. Blair, Chairman of our Society from 1953 to 1963. Those present were asked to stand in silence to Dr. Blair's memory. The Treasurer's report was submitted and adopted. The Chairman thanked Mr. A. F. Reynolds for his past services as Treasurer, a post he had held for eight years. The fluent working of the Society's finances were entirely due to the skill and sincere interest demonstrated by Mr. Reynolds, and we did not want his retirement to pass without making our appreciation of these efforts very plain. The Secretary reported the new arrangements that were now embodied in the Society's rules concerning Corporate Membership for organisations such as schools, scout troops etc. with an annual subscription of £5.00. The Secretary read the Society's proposals regarding the purchase of Redmoor by the Cornwall Naturalists Trust. Dr. C. J. F. Coombs explained the importance of the site, and its unique value as a study area for many forms of wildlife. Dr. Coombs proposed the acceptance of the Society's involvement in the purchase, and this was seconded by Mr. A. F. Reynolds. This purchase has now been completed and measures are being taken to protect the area. All the existing Officers, with the exception of Mr. A. F. Reynolds, Treasurer, offered themselves for re-election and, on a proposal by Mr. P. J. Dwyer, seconded by Mr. E. Grace, were unanimously re-elected en bloc. It was proposed by the Committee and seconded by Mr. Reynolds that Mr. W. J. K. Gray of Newquay be elected as Treasurer and Registrar. This proposal was unanimously agreed. It was proposed by the Committee and seconded by Mr. Dwyer that Mr. S. M. Christophers be elected to the vacant office of Assistant Editor and this was unanimously agreed. Two vacancies occurred on the Executive Committee following the ' time-elapsed ' retirement of Mr. C. Barnard and Mr. S. Hutchings. These places were filled by Mr. A. C. Hosking of Marazion and Mr. R. Smaldon of Plymouth. The Chairman emphasised the need for a continuing flow of varied material for the Society's Newsletter and stressed that the viability of this valuable journal of the Society depended entirely on the willingness of members to donate material, and the willing few should be assisted by more and more members writing for the Newsletter. All articles should be sent to Mr. R. Butts. It was announced that the long-awaited Society Car Stickers had been delivered. These are of attractive design and are a way of 3 advertising the Society to members of the public who might be potential members. They are available from the Secretary at 20p each. Another way of bringing the Society before the public was by reporting the Field Meeting through the media. Mr. E. Grace, in his capacity as Public Relations Officer, had built up a network of contacts with most of the newspapers covering Cornwall as well as often getting a mention on the radio. So that Mr. Grace could make the most of this valuable service, leaders of Field Meetings are requested to provide details of them to Mr. Grace as soon as possible afterwards. The Chairman reported that the Society's Art Exhibition would be displayed at the County Museum, Truro during September 1981. It was also announced by the Chairman that Dr. Bruce Campbell would attend the Jubilee Luncheon as chief guest and that Mr. Tony Soper would also be present. Mrs. R. Poynton asked for any further ideas for events etc. during Jubilee Year to be made known to her or to any member of the Events Sub-Committee. Mrs. Poynton went on to request the fullest possible support for events organised by the Events Sub-Committee. Mr. E. Grace proposed a vote of thanks to the members of the Conservation Sub-Committee and to the Events Sub-Committee for all the hard work they had put in over the year. This was warmly approved. At the end of the Spring Meeting Dr. C. J. F. Coombs showed a splendid film of bird life in the Shetland Isles. Miss D. M. Watkins proposed a hearty vote of thanks and those present indicated their appreciation in the customary way. At the Autumn Meeting held on 29th November at the County Museum, Truro, those present were shocked and saddened by the sudden serious illness of Mr. W. Woodward, our Hon. Gen. Secretary. Our sense of sorrow was turned to grieving when the news of Mr. Woodward's death became known. His intention of resigning from the post of Secretary had stunned the members of the Committee. Bill Woodward was a man who we all respected and admired. His energies and infinite charm and patience had placed the Society in the high esteem in which it is held throughout the Duchy and beyond. Those of us who knew him are the better for having done so. The Chairman announced that the Society's Natural History Exhibition would be held at the County Museum, Truro during the whole of September, 1981. The activities of the Conservation Sub-Committee were outlined. The re-siting of the hide and the measures to reduce the disturbance to birds at Stithians were reported. Details of the steps being taken to control the reeds at Marazion Marsh were given. The Chairman announced that problems were on the horizon regarding the proposed drilling for minerals on the Hayle Estuary. The disturbance and possible pollution that this would be likely to cause to an area outstanding in the south-west of England for its wildlife was of grave concern to our Society. Other conservation Societies were as concerned as we were and would be joining us in making strong representations to try and prevent or minimize this despoliation. As this report is being prepared the good news is that Osiris Cesco Ltd. — the company who had planned to drill for minerals — have withdrawn entirely any plans to drill. 4 The possible despoliation of Restronguet Creek by the mining activities of Messrs Billatons (a subsidary of Shell-U.K. Ltd.) was reported by the Chairman. It seemed, however, that the Company were going ahead with their scheme despite all protests voiced by us and other conservation societies. A letter from Mr. John Mollison, a member living in Australia was read and created considerable interest concerning the Australian wildlife he vividly described. At the end of the Autumn Meeting one of Mr. T. Darke's excellent films was shown. We were treated to an insight into the birds of the Highlands of Scotland through Mr. Darke's skillful photographic techniques. The volume of applause following the film was a true indication of the pleasure the film had brought. In the course of the meetings during the year the Executive Committee had discussed oil pollution on Cornish beaches, with special reference to the Chairman's continued and valuable correspondence with Cornish M.P.'s and the Board of Trade on this avoidable and sadly recurring matter. The plans for the establishment of a second hide on the Camel Estuary were continuing, and were at an advanced stage. The hide will be situated on the Padstow side of the estuary and members will be kept informed of progress through the Newsletter. The Society, through Mr. F. M. Couch, were liaising with the Cornwall County Council Highways Department in connection with the provision of suitable nesting sites for Dippers being maintained or provided under road bridges within the Council's control. The Council were co-operating fully with the ideas put forward by Mr. Couch. An increase in membership to bring numbers substantially over the 1,000 mark was desirable and would make the Society financially more viable and would be beneficial in other directions.